Which telephoto lens to buy?

Amethyst said:
I don't suppose this will do? I'm not consciously trying to save money, but it looks like you can spend thousands on zoom lenses, so this seems suspiciously cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300...824&sr=8-3&keywords=canon+rebel+t5i+zoom+lens
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Best Buy shows that lens at $199! I have that one, and, as I mentioned in a previous post, it is limited to relatively good lighting and relatively slow shutter speeds... To get larger aperture settings requires more bucks.
 
Interesting idea, thanks.

My experience with taking photos while on guided tours has not been good. There is always at least one, if not many, selfish you-know-whats crowding me out. Some of my would-have-been best Alaska photos had to be discarded b/c they featured photobombs by old ladies with Iphones; or some old guy with a great big belly and two huge lenses would take up the entire space available for taking the best photos. I think people on these tours can get really selfish.

folivier said:
Rather than a tripod I recommend a monopod, if you're going to get a larger lens. A tripod is great if you're shooting a static subject but if they move then a monopod allows you to keep up with the action much better. I used a monopod with a Canon 1D3 and 300mm f2.8 lens, big and heavy, when shooting sports.
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Amethyst said:
I don't suppose this will do? I'm not consciously trying to save money, but it looks like you can spend thousands on zoom lenses, so this seems suspiciously cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300...824&sr=8-3&keywords=canon+rebel+t5i+zoom+lens
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B&H Photo shows it at $179, Adorama Camera at $199. Both are well known ethical dealers. I'd be suspicious of the seller on Amazon. That one may be "gray market" - legal to sell but Cannon won't honor the warranty on a lens that was supposed to be sold outside the U.S. But he does get good reviews so I don't know....
 
That 75-300 in the link is a fairly old, not very good EF (supports full size images sensors) lens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF_75–300mm_lens Note there are many flavors of this lens.

You probably want to try to find an EFS (made for 'crop sensor' cameras) lens with image stabilization (IS). It should be smaller/lighter than its EF counterpart.

There is a 55-250 that's pretty good in its most recent (STM) version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF-S_55–250mm_lens

300mm is kinda of an oddball focal length afaik for Canons. I have a Sigma 50-500 and like you say, it's huge/heavy. You actually hold the camera by a handle on the lens.

There may be a nice fast 300mm-ish L lens (the white bodied ones) but it'll be very $$.

The best all around not crazy expensive, not crazy heavy/big, long zoom lens from Canon is the (recently updated) 100-400mm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF_100–400mm_lens

BTW, you could rent a lens. I've done it from Lens Rentals in the past: https://www.lensrentals.com/rent/lenses/mounts/canon-ef
 
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Amethyst said:
I don't suppose this will do? I'm not consciously trying to save money, but it looks like you can spend thousands on zoom lenses, so this seems suspiciously cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300...824&sr=8-3&keywords=canon+rebel+t5i+zoom+lens
Click to expand...

Not sure if that’s a USM motor... if not the focusing can be slower and NOISY. I usually look for reviews before I pull a trigger on a lens. My main concerns are focusing speed and depending on the lens, noise of the focusing motor. Nothing less cool that going to a (grand)kid’s play and having your zoom lens go “bzzzz-click-buzzz-bizzz” as it focuses.
 
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As important as your equipment choice is your amount of experience with it. Before your photo trip, try the equipment locally under similar lighting conditions to those you expect. You can have a super long lens, but if you're holding it by hand when the light is marginal you'll wind up with lots of blurred photos.
 
Amethyst said:
Tour company advised bringing at least a 300mm telephoto lens for SLR cameras. I have no experience with TP lenses.

We have a Canon Rebel T5i SLR camera. The Canon 300mm TP lens runs anywhere from $85 to $250 on various sites. Space, not price is the issue. The 300MM will fit in the gadget bag along with the camera.

I also see ads for a 500-1,000mm lens, for not much more money, but the durn thing must be a foot long. Would require its own bag, more to hang around one's neck, safeguard from accidents, etc. We need to travel light.

Would the big lens be that much better for getting long shots of wildlife and so on?

Thanks

Amethyst
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I'm a Nikon person, but if I was Canonical, I'd probably get this:

https://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-300mm-F3-5-6-3-Contemporary-Macro/dp/B00NJ9K52W

I used a Nikon D50 with the Nikkor 18-200mm zoom for all our travel photography until about 2015. For me it was a workhorse lens, and the wide-angle 18mm is pretty doggone useful. Nikon's 18-300mm is supposed to be even better, image quality-wise.

All I know about the Sigma lens I linked above comes from the 65 Amazon reviews. Canon may make one, other third parties likewise. My point is, the single zoom lens can just stay on the camera, and you're set for all the situations you might run into, not just the 300mm situation. if you're not going to print large, any lens in this category will probably do.
 
For shins and grits, here are some shots using an older Rebel XT EOS 350D, and the EF 75-300mm III. No mono/tripod, just steadied against a rock wall or similar.

108.jpg
098.jpg
 
I would also point out that the lens extends quite a bit when you use the longer telephoto setting. Again, not a problem, as long as that's what you expect.
 
Yes, it does seem heavy, but I'll bring it in place of a 2-pound pair of binoculars, so it's OK :)

Everyday lens is my smartphone! :LOL:

Texas Proud said:
If you can get to a photo store and check this out I would... it seems a bit heavy to me at 1.5 lbs, plus it is a bit large...


Now, if you are aware of this and only plan to use it for special occasions and not you every day lens then go for it..
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I think that's what zoom lenses are supposed to do? Then they go back to original size for going into the gadget bag.



Peter said:
I would also point out that the lens extends quite a bit when you use the longer telephoto setting. Again, not a problem, as long as that's what you expect.
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Amethyst said:
Here is what I am thinking of ordering ...
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That should be an excellent zoom range for wildlife. At the highest magnification, though, using a monopod for support will be very helpful if not essential.



I note that the title says "international model." This might mean that it is imported directly by the seller and does not have Canon USA support or warranty. Personally I would not consider that to be a show-stopper but I would check places like Adorama and B&H to see how much extra the USA warranty coverage would cost. Both of them also have used equipment departments selling lenses that they will warranty. I would also check out that option.
 
Amethyst said:
I think that's what zoom lenses are supposed to do? Then they go back to original size for going into the gadget bag.
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Yes, the big benefit is that they can get small to put away... our zoom to 300 is just a bit bigger than a standard 50mm lens which is why I got it...


The other zoom we have actually goes out and then back in when you zoom... do not know why...


Edit... the only reason I got a second zoom is DW wanted a wider field... my original zoom went down to 28mm... so I had to buy one that is 18... I see yours does go from 18 to 400... as long as it does sharp pics at all zoom ranges it is probably the only lens you need...
 
Looks like a nice all around lens. I would have 2nd thoughts on the international model though. And only a couple of amazon reviews. Something fishy there. I would get the full us version, and probably from B&H. And make sure that it is compatible with your camera.
 
Seems like a decent lens with a ton of flexibility. Reviews say it has a bit of chromatic aberration, but there has to be some kind of compromise with a lens with so much zoom range in a small package.

FWIW, there are other suppliers (including Tamron) on Amazon.

Enjoy!
 
Ronstar said:
Looks like a nice all around lens. I would have 2nd thoughts on the international model though. And only a couple of amazon reviews. Something fishy there. I would get the full us version, and probably from B&H. And make sure that it is compatible with your camera.
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I have bought a non US version of a film camera body and lens, never had a problem... they only do it for money... the lens is the same..
 
Texas Proud said:
I have bought a non US version of a film camera body and lens, never had a problem... they only do it for money... the lens is the same..
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That can and does work very well, until you get a defective one (and those do escape the factories) and find they will not honor the warranty. Then you either scrap the lens, live with the defect, or pay OOP to have it fixed.

How lucky do you feel?:)
 
ggbutcher said:
I used a Nikon D50 with the Nikkor 18-200mm zoom for all our travel photography until about 2015. For me it was a workhorse lens, and the wide-angle 18mm is pretty doggone useful.
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Same here. My Nikon D90 almost always has a Nikkor 18-200 on it. Seems to be ideal for what I use it for.
 
I've had Canon high end cameras and their L lenses for years but once I retired I downsized to an Olympus EM1 and just bought an EM1-2 for our Alaska trip next year. The main lenses I use are 12-40 f2.8, 12-100 f4.0, and Panasonic 100-400. These lenses give me 2x the range based on a full frame, 35mm, camera. So that gives me 24-800 with just 2 lenses. And if I need a faster lens for low light conditions I'll use the 12-40 f2.8.
That way I can have the EM1 with the 12-100 and the EM1-2 with the 100-400 and have a tremendous range covered.
As an aside the EM1-2, 12-100 and 100-400 I bought used at a great price and very satisfied with them. Quality name brand lenses can retain their value, so you could buy one for your trip and sell it after. Look at fredmiranda.com: Specialized in Canon - Nikon SLR Cameras, Forum, Photoshop Plugins, Actions, Reviews, Hosting and Digital Darkroom for used lenses.
 
folivier said:
I've had Canon high end cameras and their L lenses for years but once I retired I downsized to an Olympus EM1 and just bought an EM1-2 for our Alaska trip next year. The main lenses I use are 12-40 f2.8, 12-100 f4.0, and Panasonic 100-400. These lenses give me 2x the range based on a full frame, 35mm, camera. So that gives me 24-800 with just 2 lenses. And if I need a faster lens for low light conditions I'll use the 12-40 f2.8.
That way I can have the EM1 with the 12-100 and the EM1-2 with the 100-400 and have a tremendous range covered.
As an aside the EM1-2, 12-100 and 100-400 I bought used at a great price and very satisfied with them. Quality name brand lenses can retain their value, so you could buy one for your trip and sell it after. Look at fredmiranda.com: Specialized in Canon - Nikon SLR Cameras, Forum, Photoshop Plugins, Actions, Reviews, Hosting and Digital Darkroom for used lenses.
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My situation almost exactly, except I was shooting film Nikons for years. Now I have a couple of Panasonic GX8s. They are not the smallest and lightest of the M43 system but compared to larger sensor cameras that provide few benefits, they are wonderful.

Re 100-400mm that one is too large and heavy for me to own as a general purpose lens, but that shot of the leopard cub was done with a 100-400 that I bought for the Africa trip and sold when I got home. I think it ended up costing me $75 net. On that trip, my second GX8 carried my 14-140mm. I'll always own that lens or possibly a successor. The range, size, and weight are perfect. For longer, I have a 100-300mm. It's not as good a lens as the 100-400 but it is much smaller and lighter.

I did not recommend to the OP that she buy used lenses simply because it didn't sound like she had the photographic experience to be confident in buying used. But that is pretty much all that I do and I certainly recommend it as a general policy. mu-43.com is a good place to buy and sell M43 stuff as well as an interesting forum to follow.
 
I've bought/sold lots of camera and studio stuff over the years at FM. Not familiar with mu-43.com but I'll check it out, thanks. I'm thinking of trying to trade the 12-40 for a 7-14, either Panny or Oly.
 
And your instincts on that, as usual, are good. There are "domains" where I know what something should cost, and what to look out for....and used camera lenses are not among them. I need to pull the trigger soon, if I'm to get the lens soon enough to practice with it a bit.

OldShooter said:
I did not recommend to the OP that she buy used lenses simply because it didn't sound like she had the photographic experience to be confident in buying used. .
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folivier said:
I've bought/sold lots of camera and studio stuff over the years at FM. Not familiar with mu-43.com but I'll check it out, thanks. I'm thinking of trying to trade the 12-40 for a 7-14, either Panny or Oly.
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I bought the Oly 7-14 for a trip to Vietnam and Myanmar last January. If you like the size and weight of the 100-400, you will probably be happy with the wide zoom too. I sold it as soon as I got home. My 9-18mm is a far more useful lens and probably weights a tenth of what the wide-angle brute did. The extra on the wide end (7 versus 9) was handy, but I found the 14mm end too limiting for general shooting. Hence, the 7-14 was not on a camera body very often. YMMV, of course.
 
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